Rockfall Destroys Chimney Rock Classics

By By Dougald MacDonald

A major rockfall around July 4 or 5 has sheared off a big section of the east face of Chimney Rock in northern Idaho's Selkirk mountains. A photo sent by reader Pete Fisch from Washington shows a massive scar on the left side of the east face.At least eight routes appear to be gone or severely impacted. "The second pitch of the classic Cooper-Hiser (5.9) fell off, along with a few other great routes," Fisch said. "Another route that is gone is Lord Greystoke (5.11b).

The Cooper-Hiser was the first route up the east face of the tower, climbed in 1961 by Ed Cooper and Dave Hiser. It was free climbed by John Roskelley and Chris Kopczynski in 1967.

Date of incident: July 2012

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I am surprised no one has documented this rockfall with hi def pictures. Are there any new routes on the rock scar?